Chapter 9: Grace: Unwelcome Advances
I have to leave the pack.
This realization is a long time coming, but when I wake up to Rafe's face staring down at me, in the relative safety of my own room, it's a decision made for me.
I'm not safe anywhere. Not even where I sleep.
"Don't shout," he whispers, placing a hand over my mouth.
I wasn't going to, anyway. No one would come to my aid here.
My nod seems to relieve him, because he lets me go and sits on my bed without asking for permission.
I sit up, my fingers clutching the blanket and pulling it over my chest. The thin fabric offers little protection, but it's all I have against Rafe's piercing blue gaze. I'm still wearing my clothes from yesterday, but being in my bed—in my room—leaves me feeling vulnerable.
My heart pounds, a traitorous rhythm that threatens to betray my resolve.
"What are you doing here?"
Rafe's sun-bright hair catches the dim light, a halo around his perfect features. His blue eyes, once a source of comfort, now make my stomach twist.
All I can see is how he dumped me for Ellie the moment he realized they were mates.
"How are you doing, Grace?"
His hand reaches for mine. I flinch away, pressing myself against the headboard.
"What are you doing here?" The words come out sharper this time.
Rafe's shoulders slump, and he runs a hand through his hair, mussing the perfect strands. "I'm worried about you."
A harsh laugh escapes my lips before I can stop it. "That's rich."
"I mean it, Grace. I care about you."
"You have a funny way of showing it."
His sad facade fades as his jaw clenches. There's a tick beneath his skin, a twitching that only serves to remind me he's changed. Like a personality transplant. Or, worse—I never knew him at all. "It's complicated."
"No, it's not. You chose her. You made that perfectly clear."
into the blue of his eyes. My lack of submission must anger his wolf, too.
more scorn and less trembling. "I don't want to hear about your precious mate
earth and everything I once called home. "Grace, please. I never
The words hang between us, heavy and undeniable.
this time I let him take my hand. His touch sends sparks racing up my arm, and
miss you," he
moment, I let myself believe him. Let myself imagine a world where we could go back to the way things were. But then I remember Ellie's cruel smile. His indifference
You
He takes a deep breath, visibly trying to calm himself. "I know things are different now, but that doesn't mean I've stopped caring about
word is so fucking pathetic for this situation, leaving me with no way to express how I feel. So I laugh. A brittle, sharp, broken sound.
it smooths out again. He leans forward, grabbing my hand and holding tight, not letting me go. "I'll
Ellie treats me. It's about
against my mate, Grace.
I demand, anger finally overtaking the hurt. "What do
darken, and suddenly he's too close. His hand cups my cheek, and I hate the way I lean into his touch. Like a
in, to let him kiss me, to pretend that nothing has changed. It would be so much
I hate him.
miss
of
away, scrambling out
"Grace—"
I stand tall, even as my legs shake beneath me. The temptation of the familiar is terrifying. "You don't get to have both of us. You made your choice, Rafe.
I once found so attractive now feeling
It's amazing how much my heart hurts. Again. "No, I'm not. I'm human, remember? I don't
fire; his wolf is fighting for control. He steps forward, and I step back, only for
are mine," he insists, resting a hand on the wall beside my head. "You're just angry with me.
my jaw
is not the Rafe
stupid like this. He cared about my feelings. My thoughts. He wanted me to be true to myself. He loved me
didn't ever claim to own
My demands downgrade to pleas. "I just want to be left alone. If Ellie finds out
eyes drawn to my lips. "We'll keep it quiet. I promise I won't let
not
strokes my cheek in a gentle caress. "It's okay,
my hand, in soft, sensual kisses
mistake, Grace. But I'm going to get you back. You'll see. You were
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UNbnoYCQH+m2i0KKmLfXClDxYBWdZISW6B/5FRyq+TGFBGHNeA47VFdpgYHF4MRSO3pT7skQ3lsv2bh/Oes2D9yN/bEpOM3LtKiFA3/zX1pTil+TVPs4opcbenrwAI/cx8oC7OybcSmkGKhTpRPhkDDn1M+VnvSW240FPm/cEQqXVf3V/IqCnyF/6T04HD9YrHT7ErVCro4sEXIlldhE9/FK1RIAb8idGCg8HIeUxODlXAu3i8oblnLtXtDnTi/oUk34t6SdCvrnkjPDejZlOteZXbZyJt4X64FtU4hFY/kuF9puiC2mLullZbubIfqrhpFu5Yt1GIWrlvs7x1wOpK0iNgRNnMqnedmeMz9dDA+tAPvnjWd3mLrTJGttKKfsEov5u7o5hS33gDacvYR1EIIyVg0P6yoDr0V9hg==
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